Friends of the Smokies telethon seeks donations

Friends of the Smokies will host a telethon to benefit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon has a long history as the only telethon for a national park, and has raised over $2.5 million dollars. This year’s broadcast will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, on WLOS-TV Channel 13 in Asheville and WBIR-TV Channel 10 in Knoxville.

“This broadcast provides a great chance to learn more about the tremendous national resource that’s right in our own backyard,” said Friends of the Smokies President Jim Hart.

More than $1.1 million will go to support education, conservation, recreation, and historic preservation in the park. Current projects include trail rehabilitation, suppression of the hemlock woolly adelgid, and funding for environmental education programs.

The 19th annual telethon is sponsored by Dollywood, Mast General Store, Pilot Flying J, and SmartBank.

Individuals and business owners have three different ways to make a gift. They can make a donation online, over the phone during the broadcast or by mail. www.friendsofthesmokies.org or 877.884.6867.